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Q: I was recently promoted to a director-level position, which has much more interaction with our executive team and requires that I make high-level presentations to various constituencies. Because this is very challenging to me, I would like to be coached, but I would like my employer to pay for it instead of having to pay for it myself. Is that kind of coaching commonly paid for by employers? From what I have heard, employers only pay for "charm school"-type coaching, to help someone change their management style, or for executive coaching at the highest echelons. I'd appreciate your advice on how to get funding approved for this non-budgeted item.

A: Coaching has become more common than you may think, and certainly it is not always remedial. But you don't necessarily have to hire a coach to learn about presentation skills. You could ask someone in your organization who is skilled in giving executive presentations to mentor you. Outside of your organization, you could join the local chapter of the National Speakers Association and learn from professional speakers, as well as have your presentations critiqued by your peers.

If you prefer to work directly with a coach, first find the coach who is the best match for your situation; ask what the coach charges. Then, practice your presentation skills by presenting your case to your manager. Suggest that the fee be paid out of the training budget.

If you definitely want your boss to approve your request, be sure to do a really, really lousy job of presenting your case. Your request will almost assuredly be granted.

Q: I'm in the midst of a job search and hopefully a career change. The positions of greatest interest are ones that will allow me to work with for-profit organizations to improve functioning, predominately around personnel but also on the operational side. I believe I have good experience, credentials and skill sets to be an asset either internally or as a consultant, but I am intuiting that my education in psychology and experience in non-profit social services hinder my ability to get a foot in the corporate door.

A: Corporate recruiters look for clues about how well a candidate will fit in their company. Two of those clues are the language you use and the style of your resume. When a candidate's resume or cover letter screams, "my background is totally nonprofit!" it makes it hard to get interviews for corporate jobs. Based on the way you described your situation, it sounds as if your nonprofit writing style could be affecting your for-profit job search.

Make sure your words and style mimic corporate resumes and cover letters. If you are not sure, go to the career section of a library and look at sample resumes and cover letters of corporate professionals. I'll bet they will look different from what you have been writing.

Once you have polished up your paperwork, identify some employers who are growing and have a strong employment outlook. Network your way into them if you can, or send your resume for any opening for which you are nominally qualified. Your initial goal is to get hired for just about any position. Once you are inside, you can learn the corporate culture, its people, and the way people get promoted. Seek out a mentor or two, formally or informally. Have lunch in the cafeteria so you get to know people from every department. Make friends with employees in human resources. They know the scoop on upcoming job opportunities. Most importantly of all, do your work better than anyone else around you so you get promoted fast and often.

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